James P. Monacell

James P. Monacell is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Mr. Monacell’s practice is concentrated in the areas of bonds, public law, public finance and project finance. Mr. Monacell has participated in several billion dollars in tax-exempt financings, including general obligations, revenue bonds, contract-backed and tax-backed obligations, tax anticipation notes, leasing, certificates of participation, Section 501(c)(3) bonds and private activity bonds, most frequently as bond counsel. Projects financed include the Georgia 400 Tollroad, the High Museum of Art, the Hartsfield International Airport International Concourse, Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters, Zoo Atlanta, Scottish Rite Medical Center, Tift Regional Medical Center, the Medical Partnership at the University of Georgia and student housing at Georgia State University and Spelman College.

Mr. Monacell’s municipal law experience includes structuring recovery zones, tax allocation districts, public-private partnerships, intergovernmental contracts and management contracts for public facilities. He also represents government units, borrowers, underwriters, credit enhancers and corporate trustees in connection with tax-exempt securities offerings.

Mr. Monacell’s practice includes assistance of for-profit and nonprofit enterprises locating or expanding projects with tax-exempt and taxable financing, tax abatement and other governmental incentives. Mr. Monacell heads the firm’s Bond and Public Law Practice.

Mr. Monacell has written and spoken extensively on the subjects of public law and finance and economic development. He is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers’ Association, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the Regional Leadership Institute and the National Association of Bond Attorneys, as well as the Local Government Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He has been named one of the Georgia Super Lawyers, a Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel and one of Georgia Trend magazine’s Legal Elite. Mr. Monacell has practiced law in Atlanta since 1978.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Monacell received his B.A. degree in Government from the College of William and Mary in 1975, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia in 1978, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and served as Notes Editor for the Virginia Law Review.

Mr. Monacell has served with a number of community and nonprofit organizations, including as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Arbor Montessori School and as a Director of DeKalb for Seniors.